Lyon have issued a firm hands-off warning to any club planning a raid for Michel Bastos.
French giants plan to keep Samba star
Lyon have issued a firm hands-off warning to any club planning a raid for Michel Bastos.
The buccaneering Brazilian full-back has hit the headlines of late, with reports suggesting he could soon be on his way out of France.
A move to one of Europe's top clubs has been touted, with the Samba star having proved his worth over recent years in the UEFA Champions League and at the World Cup finals.
Juventus, Real Madrid and Arsenal have all be linked with potential swoops, with all three believed to be monitoring Bastos' situation closely.
However, his current employers have no intention of allowing the 27-year-old to leave Stade Gerland just a year after he arrived from Lille.
Rumours
A statement on the club's
official website read: "Olympique Lyonnais wish to clarify that the Brazilian international Michel Bastos will remain at the club and that there is therefore no question of any possible transfer, contrary to certain rumours.
"OL and coach Claude Puel rejoice in his performances which allowed him to contribute to the good results of the club in his first season at Lyon and to integrate the Brazilian national team with who he played in the quarter finals of the last World Cup.
"Michel Bastos is one of the key players on which OL intend to rely especially to have a great season, as much in the French competitions as in the Champions League."
Bastos began his career with Dutch outfit Feyenoord before moving back to Brazil in 2003.
He returned to Europe in 2006 when he signed for Lille and has been an instant hit at Lyon, scoring 15 goals in his debut season at the club.
